Road waterproofing for highways and viaducts

Protect your infrastructure before it’s too late

If the load-bearing structure of the infrastructure is not properly protected, two elements can compromise its integrity: water and carbonation.

• A weak, absorbent sub-base cannot distribute vehicle loads evenly, causing settlement and cracking in the road surface. This reduces the pavement’s ability to withstand heavy traffic, leading to deformation and failure and requiring more frequent maintenance.
• Water infiltrating micro-cracks triggers a progressive deterioration process. When this infiltration reaches the deeper layers, the risk of structural failure rises, endangering user safety. The phenomenon is amplified by seasonal freeze-thaw cycles: in winter, trapped water freezes and widens the cracks; during rainfall, water infiltrates even more easily, accelerating the degradation. On top of the mechanical damage from ice expansion, water causes carbonation of the concrete, which further reduces strength and promotes the corrosion of the reinforcement in the concrete.
• Oils and fuels not only increase the slipperiness of the road surface but can also penetrate the substrate, accelerating deterioration through chemical action.

Don’t wait for deterioration to become an emergency.
Request an MPM consultation now and find the best solution for your project.

Substrate preparation for road and highway waterproofing

Proper substrate preparation is the first step to ensuring effective, long-lasting road waterproofing of highways and other trafficked surfaces.

For an optimal result, surfaces must be sound, compact and free of dust or contaminants such as oils, grease or micro-vegetation.

Where pre-existing coatings are present, their adhesion to the substrate must be checked and, if necessary, damaged joints repaired and holes or other irregularities levelled. The surface must be roughened before applying any waterproofing material, to improve membrane adhesion.

The choice of mechanical preparation technique — which may include sandblasting, grinding, shot-blasting or milling — depends on the condition and type of substrate.

MPM handles every stage of this process, carefully assessing the needs of each project.

We offer customised solutions with specific primers for every type of surface, a suitable liquid polyurea membrane and a polyurethane under-layer anchoring agent. With MPM, a team of experts will support you from start to finish, guaranteeing outstanding results in the road and highway waterproofing of viaducts and trafficked surfaces.

Sustainability and safety: MPM’s priorities

MPM is committed to combining functionality, aesthetics and sustainability in every one of its road waterproofing solutions for viaducts and other trafficked surfaces.

For this reason, our products not only meet a wide range of certifications for eco-sustainability and safety, but also contribute to reducing overall environmental impact.

Choosing MPM for road waterproofing means cutting volatile organic compound emissions, meeting the Minimum Environmental Criteria (CAM), supporting the achievement of LEED credits and maintaining REACH compliance.

The certifications accompanying MPM products include:

• BBA; the British Board of Agrément (BBA) is an independent, UKAS-accredited UK body that assesses and certifies materials and systems for construction, giving builders and consumers assurance that certified materials have been tested and verified to meet the highest standards of safety, performance and durability, in some cases for up to 30 years.
• ETA (European Technical Assessment); a document certifying the technical suitability of a construction product, enabling CE marking for free movement within the European Union.
• BROOF (t2); a specific fire-resistance classification for building roofs, governed by the European standard EN 13501-5, covering a roof’s ability to resist flame spread caused by an external fire. The t2 method simulates a test of resistance to sparks combined with wind.
• BROOF (t4); unlike the previous method, t4 represents the highest roof resistance against ignition and flame spread from external sources: no roof penetration within 1 hour; after the flame is removed, samples burn for less than 5 minutes; fire spread is under 0.38 m; suitability for photovoltaic panel installation.
• Hail-resistance certification; based on a set of technical standards governing the tests required to assess a product’s resistance to hail impact. In Europe, the main reference standard for this type of test is EN 13583.
• Solar reflectance; in Europe this is set by bodies such as ASTM International or EOTA, with reference to ASTM E1980-11 and ASTM E903-12, which specify the standards and test methods for measuring the Solar Reflectance Index (SRI).
• Asbestos encapsulation; UNI 10686 certification is an Italian technical standard setting out the requirements for correctly carrying out asbestos encapsulation, providing guidance on usable products, operating procedures and quality-control criteria to ensure the work is carried out safely and effectively.
• C.A.M. certification (Minimum Environmental Criteria); an Italian standard promoting sustainability, regulated by the Ministry of the Environment. It sets criteria for materials, processes and products that minimise environmental impact, such as the use of recycled materials, energy efficiency and reduced emissions. It is mandatory for public tenders and aims to steer the sector towards eco-sustainable practices.
• CE marking 1504-2; certification attesting the conformity of concrete repair and protection products with European standards (EN 1504-2), specifically covering chemical resistance, moisture control and increased resistivity.

By choosing MPM, you can count on safe, sustainable, guaranteed solutions, with the certainty of achieving longevity and quality in every construction project, and the highest standards in road waterproofing for highways and viaducts.